"Walnut Street has been forgotten for two generations, and it's time now to reinvest, and to add Walnut Street to the list of successful projects in downtown Des Moines," said Brian Clark, lead designer on the project.

The final streetscape concept was unveiled at a public meeting at the main library at 1000 Grand Ave.

City officials said they want Walnut Street to be the place to be seen and to shop in Des Moines.

The city gave Clark's team a mission: turn the Walnut Street corridor downtown into a bustling, cutting-edge shopping district.

"Visually it will look a lot better, a lot more green, a paving overhaul if you will. Tighter streets so car speeds will be slower. There will be more parking along the curb line of the streets," said Clark.

Officials said a collaboration of local and national experts was hired to create the streetscape plan. The look is part of an overall redevelopment of the street that was reopened to traffic after years of being a pedestrian and bus only street.

Technology will also play a role in the redesign with plugs on media hydrants for our laptop or phone and touchscreen kiosks to check restaurant wait times.

"For the people that live here, it's something they're going to show off to their friends that do travel here," said Mike Caudle, a hospitality professional.

Forty years ago, one of the greatest boxing matches in history took place in an unlikely setting: the capital of the Philippines. Muhammad Ali's epic win over great rival Joe Frazier in 1975 became known as the "Thrilla in Manila."